The Vibe of a Photo – Okay, I know what a lot of you are probably thinking; “Oh boy, Ted’s gettin’ a little too deep now.” But, I’ll politely ask you to indulge me for the rest of this post. I think by the end of the post, you’ll be glad you did. Maybe not.
Vibes – We all got ’em
Vibrations. We’ve all got them. Actually everyone and everything has them. Vibration of energy is literally what makes up everything. And the smallest thing; the slightest difference can completely change everything about that vibration. Especially when it comes to art – photography, music, painting, dancing, writing…
To me, art is where I feel the strongest vibrations. That’s why I love creativity so much. It’s really what compels me to do anything.
The Vibe of a Photo
You know when you look at photos; some you will connect with; some not so much; then there are those you’ll fall in love with. Whether it’s the subject or the composition; maybe the colors; the grain or just the overall feel of the photo, it’s the vibe of the photograph that either draws you in or makes you say, “eh, not feelin’ it.”
That’s what I’m constantly working on; to stay aware of the vibe I’m making a photograph. My photos that I love the most are the ones in which I know I was very aware of the vibe at that moment I took the shot.
On the other hand, I’ve been on shoots where I know I just wasn’t present enough to connect, to be aware of the energy, the vibe in the room. The shots from those moments reveal my lack of connection, and I can see that; feel that from the photos.
One of my jobs as a photographer is to create the atmosphere, the energy that helps the person I’m photographing to relax, be themselves, even if they’re just being the person they want to be for that moment. Then they can open up more, be more vulnerable. Not vulnerable as in a weak state, but where they are more confident to open up more and draw me, and the viewers of the photo, in. Vibes.
Any Kind of Photography – Vibes, man
What I’m talking about here doesn’t just apply to photographs of people. Of course not. Remember, everything, every scene, every composition has a vibe. Just be open to it. Take the shot that resonates with you most.
The photo of the old Chevy, it’s from my book, Ghosts. This photo is one that I really love. I really can feel the memories of what this vehicle has seen and been through. Now are those “memories” I’m sensing really the history of this truck. No. But it doesn’t matter. It’s the vibe, man.
Did I calculate anything while making that shot at the time. No. I moved around and felt what was in the frame until it just worked for me.
Does that mean everyone will love it as much as I do….?
Different Stokes for Different Folks
So, you’re on a photoshoot. Everything is perfect, you’re connecting, it’s great! You’re taking what you think are the best photos you’ve ever made! Sweet, can life be any better?!!
Now, does that mean everyone is going to love those shots as much as you do? Nope. Not everyone’s vibration is the same. What resonates with some, may literally repel others. (I know, hard to believe, huh – your photos are beautiful!)
But that’s okay. Actually it’s a good thing. It’s what keeps things interesting; keeps life from being boring. I don’t expect everyone to love my photos. And I’m happy when people do love them. But in the end, the photos I make are the ones that resonate with me best. Are they perfect? Often far from it. But I love the vibe I can feel from the photos. I love the vibe I can remember from the moment I took the shot.
Vibes, man
So next time you’re making photos with your camera, remember this stuff. Don’t think about the lens; or the light; or that snappy new camera. Actually, don’t think. Feel.
Revisiting Unremembered Gear